Open Markets, Greater Gains

Eng. Slim Chaker

Contents

• The main challenges to support SME Service Exporters

• Best practices for trade promotion agencies

• The Tunisian Experiencesome examples

Sources : International Trade Centre - www.intracen.orgAsia – Pacific Economic Cooperation – www.apec.orgFAMEX - CEPEX - Ministry of Trade Tunisia – www.cepex.nat.tn

The main challenges (global)

Services = "A Promise To Perform "

Market Differently From Goods

The main challenges (global)

• Understanding Mode 1, 2, 3, 4• Cross border• Consumption abroad• Commercial presence• Movement of natural persons

• Too many agencies involved• Lack of statistics• International Visibility

• Global Image • Brand names

The main challenges (SMEs)

• Very small firms with limited resources• Need credibility and visibility• How to utilize networks of contacts • Market information is outdated very quickly• SMEs managers are technical people• BAs focus on domestic policy advocacy• Traditional trade support programs (goods)

Best practices for trade promotion agencies

• National export strategy• Improve services statistics• Establish an official services promotion unit• Establish a coordinating body across ministries• Set specific targets # SMEs• Train trade officers, Specific training for SMEs • Create awareness and credibility, Image, Brand

Names, Comm., Success Stories, Study Tours, DB

Best practices for trade promotion agencies

• Adapt universities’ programs• Tax incentives, R&D tax credits • Telecom. & internet infrastructure• Access to finance including grants• International certifications (ISO, …)• Intellectual property• Temporary business entry concessions

The Tunisian Experience Some Examples

• PMNS• FAMEX• SISE• National Strategies

The Tunisian Experience Some Examples

• The PMNS : Services Upgrading and Modernization Program

• Still in the inception phase• A National Council for Services is created• A management unit is created within the MoT• A pilot phase targeting 100 SMEs is launched• Objective : diagnose and implement the

action plan for 100 SMEs in 2011

The Tunisian Experience Some Examples

• FAMEX : Export Market Access Fund• FAMEX 1 : 2000 – 2004 (25 M USD)• FAMEX 2 : 2005 – 2011 (40 M Euro)• Objective : support SMEs to prepare and

implement export plans (industry and services)• Results for services : 380 beneficiaries, 4M$,

50%, ICT, A&E, Health., Tourism, Univ., Train., Consult.

• A FAMEX III is being prepared : 1000 SMEs from which 500 Services SMEs

The Tunisian Experience Some Examples

The Tunisian Experience Some Examples

• National Strategies : • Tourism, • ICT, • Transport, • Healthcare, …

• Negotiations with the EU and the WTO

Conclusion

Services are the future

The potential already exists : •IT, A&E, Healthcare, Tourism, …

JEDCO has the know-how through the JSMP

This program is meeting SMEs needs

It showed an important potential, interesting SMEs and already some success stories

We need more, much more, and NOW !!!